"let the record show, I did not consent..."

"a friend who taught me
right from wrong,
and weak from strong,
that's a lot to learn,
what can I give you
in return..."..."

This post will be two-pronged in its message. The first is simply this: thank you President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama. Thank you for your dignity, humility, grace, and compassion. You have taught us that there is a fierce, but gentle, greatness found in meekness, humor, grace, and humility. You have been an example of what it means to "go high," when they "go low." I came upon this Glee version of "To Sir with Love and it says so much of what was in my heart.

The other purpose of this post, is to put on record for my children, their children, and their children's children -- unto a thousand generations -- my conscientious objection to the outcome of this election. I sense that this will be a moment in history that will live on as a lesson to future generations. I would never want my family to wonder where I stood. I stood with compassion, I stood with the defense of human rights, I stood with nobility of character, integrity, and respect for all.

Last week I wrote that I "couldn't ever remember re-posting someone else's piece in its entirety," but today's article by John Pavlovitz, "Let the Record Show," copied below, warrants repeating here -- for me. I don't know that if I'd written a piece to say the same thing, it would have been an exact replication -- I don't think I would have been as brutally honest. But I would have wanted to be. Something is deeply wrong here. I feel that we must remain alert, vigilant, and prayerful. This piece allows me to go on record with my conscientious objection -- so I am re-sharing it below. 

This is not political.  It is not about one ideology or another.  This, for me, is moral.  It is about humanity, honesty, faith, hope, affection, meekness, compassion, and temperance.

This is one of those times when I actually do hope that what is posted on the internet lives forever in cyberspace. I hope that if my great, great, great grandchildren ever wonder how I voted -- they will be able to know which side of history I stood on. If I'd lived in 1944 Germany, 1915 Armenia, 1995 Bosnia, or 2015 Syria, I would have wanted to go on record in the same way.  I have posted Pavlovitz article in its entirety here.  Yes, there are statements that I may not have made, using exactly the same language. But saying no to hatred and fear is not about politics or language -- it is about Love, and when speaking about Love, words are never adequate, quite perfect, or enough. 

Let the Record Show
by John Pavlovitz 

"Let the record show that I did not consent to this.

Let it show that I did not vote for this man, that he did not represent me, that I did not believe he was deserving of being here, that I grieved his ascension.

Let History record my objection to him, to the ways he humiliated women and vilified Muslims and threatened protestors and disregarded people of color.


Let it record my repulsion at his tremendous cruelty, his lack of compassion, his contempt for dissension, his absence of simple decency.

Let witnesses mark down my disgust at the way he boasted of infidelity, at how he ridiculed a disabled reporter, at the way he attacked female opponents for their appearance, at the way he marginalized immigrants.

Let it be remembered that I did not look the other way when women accused him of assault, when the reality of his Russian alliances came to light, when he refused to share his tax records—though large portions of the American media and its people chose to.

Let it be remembered that I did not buy into the fear that he perpetuated of those with brown skin or hijabs or foreign birthplaces.

Let the record show that I looked on with disbelief as he spent countless early morning and middle-of-the-night hours following the election on social media, broadcasting a steady stream of petulant, insecure, incoherent messages instead of preparing to do a job he was ill-equipped for and seemingly not all that interested in.

Let the record show that I watched him assemble a Cabinet of billionaires and bigots, of people woefully unqualified to steward our children, our safety, our healthcare, our financial stability—and that I was horrified by it all.

Let it be remembered that my faith would not allow me to fall in line behind this man while so many professed religious people did; that I saw nothing resembling Jesus in him, and that to declare him Christian would have been to toss aside everything I grew up believing faith in Christ manifested in a life.

Let History record my grieving at the racism and bigotry and homophobia that characterized his campaign, marked his supporters, and is evident in his assembling Administration.

Let it be known that I was one of the more than 65 million people who voted for Hillary Clinton; who understood that though not perfect, she was an intelligent, experienced, passionate public servant with the temperament, commitment, and qualifications to lead and lead well.

Let the record show that I greatly lamented the day of his inauguration, and that I promised to join together with other good people to loudly resist and oppose every unscrupulous, dangerous, unjust and dishonest act this new Administration engages in.

History has been littered with horrible people who did terrible things with power, because too many good people remained silent. And since my fear is that we are surely entering one of those periods in our story, I wanted to make sure that I was recorded for posterity:

I do not believe this man’s actions are normal.
I do not believe he is emotionally stable.
I do not believe he cares about the full, beautiful diversity of America.
I do not believe he respects women.
I do not believe he is pro-life other than his own.
I do not believe the sick and the poor and the hurting matter to him in the slightest.
I do not believe he is a man of faith or integrity or nobility.
I do not believe his concern is for anything outside his reflection in the mirror.

I believe he is a danger to our children.
I believe he is a threat to our safety.
I believe he is careless with our people.
I believe he is reckless with his power.
I believe America will be less secure, less diverse, less compassionate, and less decent under his leadership.

And if I prove to be wrong, it will be one of the most joyful errors of my life. I will own these words and if necessary, willingly and gladly admit my misjudgment because it will mean that America is a better and stronger nation, and the world a more peaceful place.

But right now I don’t see that happening.

Right now I am worried for my country, concerned for our planet, scared for the future of my children, and greatly saddened that 62 million Americans seem okay with all of this.

Let the record show that I was not okay with it.

Not at all."

As Pavlovitz writes, I hope that I am wrong -- it would be a joyful error. I pray that I am wrong. I do part with Pavolovitz belief that we are less secure, compassionate, and decent under this man's leadership. Not because I trust anything that the new president says he will (or won't) do but because I trust that God is more powerful than any man, and that Love is more powerful than hate. That we are all more attentive to the workings of Love in our hearts, than the clatter of coins in our pockets.

offered with Love -- and hope,

Kate